DIVERSITY

DIVERSITY- Chapter 27

I groaned, my hand moving to clutch the side of my stomach that had collided with the gravel, on the Impact of jumping from the train. I tried to block out the stinging sensation within my ribs, my throat seizing as the pain Intensified. My chest heaved with fear, as I felt a warm liquid soak through my shirt, and leak onto the skin of my palm. Panic flaring Inside of me, my fingers gripped the hem of my black shirt, and peeled away the fabric from my stomach. As the shirt was removed from my skin, It was revealed that the side of my stomach was bruised with a dark, brewing Immflamuation around an open wound that leaked large amounts of blood. I applied more pressure to the cut, but cringed as a wave of burning shivered throughout my entire form.

I winced, realising that I had no control over my body, as my eyes began to roll back Into my head. I forced them back open, as the sound of the passing train accelerating down the rusty rails, made me aware of the danger I had just escaped.

A bitter taste engulfed my mouth as I forced myself to stand, my legs aching as I sprinted along the dusty ground, still clutching my stomach as I ran. I did not have time to wait and fully examine the cut, as I had to reach the gates before soldiers were sent to capture me, preventing my escape. Suddenly, I shrieked as the pain worsened, but I kept running, aware that there was no time to waste. The wind picked up around me, spraying my waist-length hair out behind my body, also causing small amounts of gravel and sand to be picked up Into the air and stick to my skin. Thoughts of Damon entered my mind, and my heart longed for him, missing him deeply, but I forced the dangerous thoughts from my head. If I dwelled on memories of him, I would surely cave and end up being captured.

Nearing the edge of the city, my eyes narrowed, centering In on the gate's exit. My lungs screamed for deep breaths of air, my feet aching to stop their fast pace, and my throat numbed, craving liquid to dissipate the dryness of my mouth. But I Ignored all of that. I kept running, forcing my body to keep moving, my hands ironed flat, were outstretched before me, moving up and down as I sprinted.

My breath was caught abruptly In my throat, my whole body swerved around to observe the sirens and loud sounds of vehicles moving In my direction. I was frozen, staring at the two powerful, grey coloured army tanks that revved closer to me. I exhaled as the tank had only just driven over the train tracks, hauling what seemed like an estimated ten soldiers, all clinging to the vehicle, eager to jump off and chase me on foot. Still unmoving, I glanced at the gates, meters away, along the gravel covered ground, and back at the fast approaching tank. There was a chance that I could reach the gates before they did, and I had already slimmed the odds of returning to the training base after all I had done.

Without wasting another second, I lunged my body forward, forcing every ounce of energy I could muster Into quickening my pace. I winced with agony, every time my feet kicked off the ground, the step created deep shudders that vibrated through my entire body. I looked up, my chest puffing with relief as I almost reached the tall, black gates that curved around our entire city. I blinked, suddenly skidding to a stop as the tall gates towered over my head. I glanced anxiously to the tank that revved dangerously closer, the soldiers beginning to leap from the vehicle and continued to hunt me, each soldier armed with a deadly weapon. I knew that my time was limited as soon as I jumped from the train, aware that It would be a matter of seconds before Caden contacted the Experimental Unit, and called for more soldiers, but I was not expecting for them to arrive this quickly.

My hands extended from my sides, and clawed at the gate that would swing open. I stopped running my fingers over the metal as they scraped over indent within the gateway. I gazed down, and sure enough, a key shaped hole was carved Into the gate. It was locked.

I jolted as deep voices yelled out from across the field, my eyes widened In horror as the soldier's advanced toward me. In fear, I began to stumble backward, until my back collided with the gate, sending vibes throughout my back, provoking the wound In my stomach to ache. My mind started to map out escape routes as I ran out of time. I stared at the tops of the pointed gates, suddenly conjuring a plan that I hated myself for thinking of.